deZalduondoB
Joined: 31 Dec 1969
Posts: 3
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 Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 2:31 pm Post subject: Policy Paper and Mexico Events |
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This note from BRAZEY DE ZALDUONDO refers to the draft Policy paper derived from the comments in this forum to date. You can see the draft at http://www.comminit.com/en/node/272636
To share your comments on this draft please email
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Dear all,
I have been following this wonderful dialogue with great interest as we prepare for the Mexico conference. I won-t be there in person, but will continue to follow on the web, and I hope these comments squeak in "under the wire."
First of all, congratulations on the process. It leverages ICTs to both support coordination for maximum impact at the conference and also enables those of you who will be in Mexico to speak with a stronger voice, as you can speak for those of us who are participating virtually. If I understand correctly, the aim of this pre-conference dialogue is not to produce a policy proposal, but rather, to identify some common objectives and themes that all can support and reinforce in various interactions, comments, and fora. Everyone will go in with a range of important contributions and issues, but if others hear the same issues repeatedly from a range of people and places -- those issues are more likely to "stick."
Second, I think a critical issue is that - traditional information dissemination and individual-focused behaviour change approaches are necessary, but not sufficient to prompt and enable enduring reductions in vulnerability and risk. Under "Go Deep, Go Long" I think we should say explicitly that cultures are 'self-righting systems," so to shift beliefs and norms, communication strategies need to be based on in-depth analysis of all the component parts of the system, and to be planned and coordinated to deal with the multiple components and levels, consistently, and persistently, until they reach a new and healthier equilibrium. These points have been brought out in discussions in the Social Change Communication Working Group cited by Robin Vincent. They are summarized in the poster that was co-created by this group and that we'll circulate on Wednesday when it goes up at the conference.
Third, I hope many of you have seen the UNAIDS Global Report that was released yesterday. There is a whole chapter on addressing societal level causes of vulnerability and risk - something that can hardly be done except through strategic communication!
You will notice in the Global Report, that it is all about the data. There are many in UNAIDS (Secretariat and cosponsors) who understand well that the range of valid information and documentation goes way beyond clinical trials. I am sure that you will hear and see many cases and studies that are innovative, grounded in local realities, and that also are described in a way that is objective, rigorous/systematic, and insightful. I really hope you will make note of these studies and cases, and share them. This could really help to need to break the vicious cycle of: Insufficient number, and documentation of programmes -> insufficient evidence -> insufficient funding -> insufficient programmes etc..
At UNAIDS we have a firm commitment to evidence informed and rights based programmes. The point of "evidence informed" is that the UN advocates for policies and programmes that have been tested and evaluated, but it is essential for approaches to respect and promote human rights whether there is evidence of their impact on HIV or not. For example, UNAIDS stands 1000% against gender based violence - whether there are data showing that it increases HIV vulnerability and risk or not! That said, data that describe concrete programmes to combat gender based violence and their results, and other social change interventions, are sorely needed. So, my point is two-fold. One is that I really agree with the comments that we should have a key message around human rights and social justice. The second is that, for those of us who are not in Mexico, I hope those who are there will keep your eyes out for good examples of programme approaches, tools (guidelines, measures and scales, etc.) and results on these social and cultural issues, and keep good notes on where we can go after the conference to get details.
Further to this - Warren has captured a number of themes on "how" HIV policies and programmes can be enhanced (Reflect; Debate! etc), and also themes on the 'what" - the commentaries have identified both human rights and transforming gender as critical substantive themes. Combating HIV related stigma and discrimination is another one. It is mentioned under Go Deep, Go Long, but should-t it stand out as much as the need to transform gender?
Forgive me if the next item is a bit personal. I'm an anthropologist by training. I have learned so much from those of you who are trained in communication and media sciences! I do believe that those of us in this area know that this is a two-way street. Social and behavioural sciences provide a knowledge base and set of tools that are also critical to analyzing the social drivers of HIV vulnerability and risk, and to improving HIV responses. But people coming from a biomedical background may not know the difference, so social and behavioural science skills need to be advocated in addition to communication skills. The synthesis paper that Warren has brilliantly developed and shared gives us a heading "Culture Rules." This is a great double-entendre, and a great heading for a section that makes my point. Socially constructed meanings, roles, values, norms, institutions, etc. provide the substrate for effective communication. Analyzing them is better done with background knowledge and theory on how these things vary, are defined and measured in various settings, how they change, etc. In sum, it may be useful to add a recommendation to enhance and expand training and partnership with social and behavioural scientists, either in the Culture Rules section, or expanding the Communication Skills section.
Well, that's it from my side for this round. Again, it is a real pleasure and privilege to read the many perspectives that have been shared, and I know we can all count on continuing excitement during the conference!
Warm regards to all,
- Barbara/Brazey
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Barbara O. de Zalduondo, M.Sc., Ph.D. | Chief, Programmatic Priorities and Support Division | Evidence, Monitoring and Policy Department | UNAIDS | 20 Avenue Appia | Geneva 27 | Switzerland CH-1211| Tel: +41-22-791-1557 | Mobile: +41-79-329-4081
From: Warren Feek [mailto:mex17@comminit.com]
Sent: Mon 7/28/2008 10:07 PM
To:
Subject: [Mexico XVII] Policy Paper and Mexico Events
To: HIV/AIDS Policy - Communication Perspectives Group
From: Warren Feek - Executive Director - The CI
Mexico AIDS site http://www.comminit.com/mexico_aids
Forum Email
A big hi to everyone - a few quick things re this process- mainly about the
Policy Paper and your Mexico Events. Tomorrow a note re getting organised in
Mexico City as many attending will be travelling soon.
1. POLICY DRAFT:
A number of people have indicated that they are sending comments on the
draft policy ideas so we will extend the feedback and comments on those to
Wednesday evening of this week. At that stage we will need to re-write
these. You can see the draft at http://www.comminit.com/en/node/272636
To share your comments on this draft please email
There have been a number of very nice comments to date plus a few
suggestions - eg a much higher emphasis on human rights [see previous
contributions]. These very supportive comments are a credit to everyone's
insights and ideas sent to this forum as that is what the draft is derived
from. But please - if you have serious concerns or criticisms - do submit
them - it is vital to have a full debate on these. Thanks
2. MEXICO CONFERENCE EVENTS
A big thanks to everyone who has sent details of their events at the Mexico
City International AIDS Conference. Maria de Bruynn at IPAS just submitted a
number of events and Claire Stevens from Mindset in South Africa also
submitted recently.
To submit your event for sharing with this network please complete this form
and submit: http://www.comminit.com/node/add/mexico-communication
[let me know if there are any issues]
To edit any submission you have made please go to
http://www.comminit.com/mexico_aids scroll down and under Your Recent Posts
click on edit next to the post you wish to update
NB - Please do - for new and edited contributions - complete the Lessons
Learned and Policy Objectives sections
To review relevant communication events - and to possibly attend and support
your communication colleagues attending those events please review the
events submitted for these days [again let me know if there are any issues
accessing]
Sunday August 3rd
http://www.comminit.com/event/2008/08/03/day/mexico_communication/all
Monday August 4th
http://www.comminit.com/en/event/2008/08/04/day/mexico_communication/a ll/1
Tuesday August 5th
http://www.comminit.com/en/event/2008/08/05/day/mexico_communication/a ll/1
Wednesday August 6th
http://www.comminit.com/en/event/2008/08/06/day/mexico_communication/a ll/1
Thursday August 7th
http://www.comminit.com/en/event/2008/08/07/day/mexico_communication/a ll/1
Friday August 8th
http://www.comminit.com/en/event/2008/08/08/day/mexico_communication/a ll/1
Thanks - an honour to help facilitate this process as we all seek to support
all of our work - more tomorrow re getting organised in Mexico City for
those attending. One quick question - does anyone have a meeting room that
we can obtain at times during the conference?
Thanks - Warren
Warren Feek
Executive Director
The Communication Initiative
1-250-658-6372 - office
1-250-588-8795 - mobile
www.comminit.com
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